OJ

He's nowhere close to the best tight end in the country. Below average blocker, average hands, scared of contact, can't catch in traffic.

OJ has all the physical potential in the world, but he is not a great football player right now. I wish our fans would quit clamoring for him to get the ball.

OJ was way overrated. Look like Tarzan, play like Jane.

He got muscled out by a 5'9" cb for Gods sake.

Small school player asked to play big boy football from the jump. He didn't even dominate consistently at Autauga Academy, despite being bigger and faster than everyone.

He's still a piece of marble that hasn't really been chiseled into a football player yet. It shows what he's relied on most of his career. Technical are there, in catching, in route running, and in blocking. Despite what his 40 time is, it doesn't translate off the snap or getting up. 2 of his best TDs(LSU and Arkansas) come on plays where clearing routes are ran, putting him in a situation to just outrun his man on a slant.

He's likely never gonna be a great blocker, which causes a lot of ire from Saban. He doesn't like skill players who can't block, especially not TEs.

In the words of Bill Walsh,

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"Now when you get to blocking with this person it will be all technique. He is going to have to develop those techniques that he can use with reasonable effectiveness against defensive linemen and linebackers. His ability to absorb and learn technique is critical because he is not going to be able to play mass against mass."

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It clicked with Vogler, a very raw TE prospect, so I'm confident Howard can turn it around to some degree. He's got 2 years to turn into the TE everyone(including himself) hope he can be. 2015 will be important, the "it" position is up for grabs. He can take it if he puts in the work, or risk being the guy who helps cause the mismatch for ________ again.

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probably the best tight end in the country

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I say let's just move him to receiver

Good point on Ragland, hell, there was a decent majority who wanted him at TE this year. For as many LBs Bama had produced, it was a little different actually having to wait on one. Getting him on the field really did wonders, rapidly growing into the role week by week.

Howard hasn't found a winning combination yet on the field, breaking even on effectiveness. His problems aren't fix as you go, it's gonna take more time to bring it out of him. Coaching staff can(nb4 jab at Bobbeh), but at the same time, they're trying to win a championship too.

Take the Blake Sims approach next Summer, go out and hire a coach to help you. Sucks to have to spend your free time like that, but that's sometimes what the best have to do.

There's NO freaking way a 5"9 CB should take the ball from a 6"6 guy that's build like a Greek God. NO FREAKING WAY!!

I love the guy and his potential but it appears that right now he's suffering from DJ Hall syndrome.

It's simple really, move him to WR and have the Mike Evans effect. Let Brandon Greene be the TE as he can block and catch, doesn't have to be fast.